This list covers the 18 cheapest online master's degrees in history in this country (based on data from the U.S. Department of Education), the majority of these schools' tuition rates are below the cost of a traditional college education. For your convenience, we have arrayed them in descending order of cost, with the most expensive school on the bottom, according to the tuition rate per credit hour. With a limited number of programs to rank, we forewent the traditional multifactorial approach and compiled this list soleley based on cheapness.
Top 18 Affordable Online Master's in History
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Fort Hays State UniversityLocation
Hays, KS
Tuition$9676
Fort Hays State University has an online master of arts in history without thesis degree that is a 30-33 credit hour program that includes coursework in rural studies and Western history. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, the program requires satisfactory performance on the written comprehensive exam before matriculation. Fort Hays State University charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $287.75 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
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Missouri State UniversityLocation
Springfield, MO
Tuition$9.324
Missouri State University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 30 credit hour program that offers three tracks: American studies; global area studies; and US and the world. With a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1, the program requires a recent GRE score and three letters of recommendation. Missouri State University charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $295 per credit hour for this program, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
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University of North AlabamaLocation
Florence, AL
Tuition$11736
The University of North Alabama has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 51 quarter credit hour program that includes coursework in US history and world history. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the program requires at least 24 hours of previous coursework in history. The University of North Alabama charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $326 per credit hour regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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University of Nebraska-KearneyLocation
Kearney, NE
Tuition$11886
The University of Nebraska-Kearney has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in early America and modern Europe. With a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1, the program requires an accredited bachelor's degree with at least 18 hours in history. The University of Nebraska-Kearney offers an out of state, graduate tuition rate of $417.50 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
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Jackson State UniversityLocation
Jackson, MS
Tuition$7501
Jackson State University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in public history and the African diaspora. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the program has a provisional acceptance program available for qualifying students. Jackson State University charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $462 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Troy UniversityLocation
Troy, AL
Tuition$14292
Troy University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program with coursework that includes Collaboration for Foundation, The Master Teacher, and Educational Technology in the Curriculum. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, the program requires transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an application fee. Troy University offers an online, out of state, graduate tuition rate of $494 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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University of Louisiana at MonroeLocation
Monroe, LA
Tuition$18590
The University of Louisiana at Monroe has an online master of arts in history that is a 30 credit hour program with a thesis or non-thesis option. Coursework includes History of Warfare, The Makers of Europe, and Civil War Military History. With a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1, the program requires GRE scores, a GPA of 2.5, and a minimum of 18 hours in undergraduate history courses. The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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University of Massachusetts-BostonLocation
Boston, MA
Tuition$32913
The University of Massachusetts-Boston has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in research methods and introduction to historiography. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, the program requires three letters of recommendation and a writing sample with the admissions packet. The University of Massachusetts-Boston charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $575 per credit hour, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
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University of MemphisLocation
Memphis, TN
Tuition$17604
The University of Memphis has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 33 credit hour program that requires a comprehensive written exam for graduation with a thesis or non-thesis option. Courses include the following: African-American History; Global History; Egyptian History; and U.S. History after 1877. With a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1, the program requires two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. The University of Memphis charges an online, out of state, graduate tuition rate of $603 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Liberty UniversityLocation
Lynchburg, VA
Tuition$8051
Liberty University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program that includes the following courses: the Protestant Reformation; History of Slavery and Servitude in the Western World; and History of American Political Parties. With a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1, the program requires transcripts and a statement of purpose for admission. Liberty University offers an online, graduate rate of $605 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Arizona State UniversityLocation
Tempe, AZ
Tuition$23480
Arizona State University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in historical methods and genealogy. With a student to faculty ratio of 23 to 1, the program requires at least 18 hours of previous historical coursework. Arizona State University charges an online, graduate tuition rate of $637 per credit hour for this program, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
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Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaLocation
Slippery Rock, PA
Tuition$18000
The Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania has a master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program with a thesis and a non-thesis option. Coursework includes the following: Historical Method; The Ancient Near East; Russia in the 20th Century; and Seminar in Medieval Europe. With a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1, the program requires transcripts and an application fee as well as other paperwork described in the online application. The Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania offers an online, out of state, graduate tuition rate of $666 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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Louisiana Tech UniversityLocation
Ruston, LA
Tuition$13333
Louisiana Tech University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in historiography and historic writ. With a student to faculty ratio of 24 to 1, the program requires at least 21 undergraduate credit hours in history coursework. Louisiana Tech University charges an online, out of state, graduate tuition rate of $675 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Western Kentucky UniversityLocation
Bowling Green, KY
Tuition$16320
Western Kentucky University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program that includes the courses Pre-modern Europe, the Non-Western World, and the Post-Civil War US. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the program requires a 3.0 GPA for all undergraduate coursework. Western Kentucky University offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $707 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Emporia State UniversityLocation
Emporia, KS
Tuition$18414
Emporia State University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in historiography and readings seminars. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the program offers full, conditional, and probationary admittance to the program. Emporia State University charges a non-resident, graduate tuition rate of $788.50 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
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Indiana State UniversityLocation
Terre Haute, IN
Tuition$13986
Indiana State University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 33 credit hour program that includes coursework in historical method and the wider world. With a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1, the program is closed to international students, but open to those with an APO/FPO address. Indiana State University charges an online, out of state, graduate tuition rate of $793 per credit hour, but there is a discount available for some students. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
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University of North Carolina WilmingtonLocation
Wilmington, NC
Tuition$16667
The University of North Carolina Wilmington has an online master of arts in history degree that is geared toward educators. The degree is a 30 credit hour program. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the application process for the program requires an essay on your particular historical interest. The University of North Carolina Wilmington charges an out of state, graduate, online tuition rate of $874.22 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Sam Houston State UniversityLocation
Huntsville, TX
Tuition$12483
Sam Houston State University has an online master of arts in history degree that is a 30-36 credit hour program with the option to write a thesis or defend a written portfolio. Three track options are available: Rights and Identity; War and Violence; Encounter and Exchanges. With a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1, the program requires a minimum 2.5 overall GPA or 2.8 on the last 60 hours, an application fee of $45, resume, a document of intent, and writing samples. Sam Houston State University charges an online, non-resident, graduate tuition rate of $1,168.25 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
Methodology: Here's How We Rank Schools
Metric | Data Used | Percentage |
Academic Quality | Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates | 25% |
Affordability | Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid | 35% |
Reputation | Admission and enrollment rates | 15% |
Program Offerings | Number of program options | 10% |
Online Enrollment Score | Portion of learners taking at least one online course | 15% |
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